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Multiple assignments
Question: I work in a public hospital as an enrolled nurse. I work in two different locations that are quite independent of each other. This has been described to me as having multiple assignments. My hours add up to full time so not sure how this then works out.
Answer: Under clause 4A of the Public Health System Nurses’ and Midwifes’ (State) Award 2015, if you have two or more assignments under the Award within the same facility or Local Health District, then the work you perform in each will be aggregated for the purposes of determining your entitlements. In short, if your hours add up to full-time, you should receive all the benefits under the Award applicable to a full-time employee.
The LHD should ensure that each of your supervisors is aware of your other assignment and the requirement to aggregate the hours worked. This is essential to ensure that each is aware of the consequences of allocating you additional shifts (i.e. overtime, break between shifts, possible fatigue issues etc).